News • 22 December 2002

The choice for pro-EU Labourites’

VALLETTA - "Alternattiva Demokratika wants the best for Maltese and Gozitans, and therefore we fully support a yes vote for EU membership. Through AD, not only Green supporters but also pro-EU Labourites shall be able to vote in favour of Malta's membership within the European Union, as this will bring about a stronger voice for Malta, a better environment, increased workers' rights, and other improvements.

"Unfortunately, the MLP leadership shall go down in history as not having done anything to help Malta's negotiations. On the other hand AD did its utmost for Malta and Gozo in a most responsible manner."

Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Dr Harry Vassallo was addressing a press conference at Valletta. He said that the Green Party was satisfied with the deal brokered by Malta and the EU for membership.

Although disagreeing on the outcomes of the hunting and plastic bottles negotiations, Dr Vassallo said that the benefits of membership, such as the financial package, integration within the European economy, as well as environmental, agricultural and health and safety improvements, outweighed the disadvantages of membership.

EU Affairs Spokesperson and European Greens General Secretary Arnold Cassola said that AD had been informing Government of its talks with Green counterparts since February 1999, when it had talks with German Green Minister of Foreign Affairs Joschka Fisher regarding Malta's EU application. In April 1999 AD had talks with the German Foreign Office regarding the Koln Summit. In May 1999 AD met Green Minister Pekka Haavisto to discuss the Finnish Government's plans regarding Malta during its EU presidency.

"Between 1999 and 2002, Dr Harry Vassallo represented AD in the Malta - EU Steering Action Committee, within which the MLP failed to participate. Dr. Vassallo's interventions and contributions were highly esteemed in MEUSAC, both by core group members as well as by civil society organisations.

Dr Harry Vassallo also added that Alternattiva Demokratika would be gearing up for the general and local council elections and the referendum in the new year.

"It has been a fruitful year for AD. We were active in Malta and Brussels to help get the best for our country. We launched a manifesto that includes 445 proposals. The Green Party is going from strength to strength."

It still has to be seen how Alternattiva will fare in the upcoming campaign. It has limited air time on state TV but it still technically owns the licence for Capital radio based in Valletta, a popular radio station with the lower income bracket of society.